Hot-water bottle heating element



April 10, 1951 B. STREZOFF HOT-WATER BOTTLE HEATING ELEMENT Filed Sept. 30, 1949 fivemiar 7. 7

Airway;

lllllllllllll Patented Apr. 10, 1951 TI i UNITEDSTATES "PATENT OFFICE I HOT-WATER BOTTLE HEATING ELEMENT Bogoia Strezofi, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application September 30, 1949, Serial No. 118,819

This invention relates to a combined heating unit and closure for comfort bags.

The object of my invention isto provide a com bined closure and heating unit for a comfort bag which will not diminish the flexibility of said bag or the comfort of the user.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide for a comfort heat-exchanger bag, a heating unit which will not extend inwardly beyond a position substantially flush with the wall of said bag in which it is located, thereby precluding interference with the flexibility of said bag and the comfort of the user and which will at the same time maintain said bag at a desired temperature and serve as a closure for said bag.

Another object of my invention is to provide a comfort bag which will maintain a desired temperature and yet be completely flexible so as to fit the various curved portions of the body of a human bein and add substantially to his comfort.

A further object of my invention is to provide a combined closure, heating unit and suspension device for a comfort bag which will substantially enhance the comfort of the user by insuring maximum flexibility of said bag when applied to curved portions of the human body.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and, in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of the invention fastened on the arm of a wearer;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention unattached;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken through the heating unit along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 with a section of the threaded portion broken away to show the heating element;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an additional means of suspension for the comfort ba when in use; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a combined heating unit, closure, and suspension device.

An embodiment of the invention, as shown in Figs. 1-3, includes a shallow flexible container commonly known as a comfort bag or a comfort heat exchanger bag having a filler opening ll of substantial area relative to the size of the container in one side Illa thereof and a flexible attachment flap [2 on each end with an aperture I 3 formed therein for securing a tie device l4 thereto. Secured in the filler opening H is a rigid upstanding collar l of metal or other suitable material which has internal coupling threads (6 thereon. An extension of the collar [5 forms a. substantially horizontal seat I! which extends 5 Claims. (Cl. 219- 41) around the periphery of the collar [5 and a further extension forms at each of three sides of the collar l 5, a flange Ila, which is substantially parallel to the sides Illa of the container l0 and in close proximity thereto. Each of the flanges Ila has an aperture [8 which provides a means for securing thereto a tie device l9.

Removably mounted in the filler opening H is a combined heating unit and closure 20 comprising a hollow plug-like member 2| formed of metal or other similar material of dimensions equal to the size of the aperture H and having external coupling threads 22 thereon of pitch and depth equal to the internal threads IS on the collar [5. The bottom 23 of the plug-like member 2] is made of metal which is a good heat conductor. When the combined heating unit and closure 20 is mounted in the collar l5, the bottom 23 lies substantially parallel to and substantially flush with the side Illa of the container [0 in which the collar 15 is mounted.

As shown in Fig. 3 the bottom 23 extends inwardly a slight distance beyond the wall Illa of the container but is nevertheless in closely spaced relationship thereto. This is desirable but not necessary and in no case should it extend inwardly beyond one-half of one inch. Superimposed on and registering with the bottom 23 is an electrical heating element 24 of any conventional type. Secured by any suitable means to the upper end of the hollow member 2| is a cover 25 which is made of heat insulating material and is of sufficient diameter so that it extends outwardly a short distance beyond the periphery of the hollow member 2| and the collar I5, thereby forming a rim 26. snugly encircling the hollow member 2| and adjacent to the rim 26 is a washer 21 made of rubber or other suitable material adapted to prevent the escape of any of the liquid from the container when the combined heating unit and closure 20 is mounted in the filler opening ll. Connected to the heating element 24 is an electric conductor 28. Interposed in the electrical conductor 28 is a variable resistance circuit maker 29 which permits makin or breaking of the circuit through the conductor 28 and also permits control of the degree of heat produced by the heating element 24.

Operation In operation, the container [0 is filled with a liquid having the desired temperature by way of the filler opening H. The combined heating unit and closure 20 is then screwed tightly into the collar l5, thereby sealing the filler opening II by compressing the rubber washer 2'! between the rim 26 and the seat H. The comfort bag is then ready for application and fastening to curved portions of a human body as shown in Fig. 1 through the use of the tie devices l4 and [9. Fig. 1 shows the comfort has being applied to the arm of a wearer with the tie devices l9 encircling his neck to properly suspend the comfort bag so as to prevent its slipping downwardly on the arm. The tie devices [4 are used to hold the comfort bag i snugly around thearm. The electric conductor 28 is then connected with a source of electric current and the. temperature desired is maintained by properly adjusting the variable resistance circuit maker 28. The heat developed by the heating element 24 is conducted to the metal bottom 23 which in turn conducts the heat to the liquid in the container H]. In this manner it is possible for a wearer to contime his work and keep the comfort bag attached at a desired temperature indefinitely.

It should be noted my invention is constructed to provide a comfort-bag which will substantially increasethe wearers comfort and at the same time provide him with freedom of movement by retaining all the flexibility which such a bag has without a heating unit. In addition, it combines the closure and the heating unit into one unit, thereby eliminating the need for an additional opening in the container for the insertion of a heating element. By constructing my combined heating unit and closure with its bottom substantially flush with the wall of the container in which it is mounted, I have achieved the maximum in flexibility and comfort to the wearer. A comfort bag having my com-- bined heating unit and closure installed in the filler opening is just as flexible and adapted to fit curved portions of the wearers body as one with an ordinary closure. Its contents are maintained at the proper temperature just as efficient- 1y as by any type of heating unit. The broad area of the bottom 23 is sufficient to keep the entire contents of the bag ii] at any desired tem perature without an appreciable extension of the same into the interior of the bag Hi. My unit 2!! seals the container just as completely as any other type of closure. The net result is a comfort bagwhichprovides a wearer with a greater degree of comfort than is attainable with any other type of heatingexchanging bag.

Figs. 4 and 'showan additional embodiment of the invention providing for other means of suspension. Fig. 5 shows a combined heating unit, closure, and suspension unit 38 which is built much the same as the combined heating unit and closure 20 except that it has a broader rim 3-! on'its top with a plurality of perforations 32 therein adapted for the insertion of a tie device for use in suspending the comfortbag, thereby. obviating the need for the flanges E10,. Fig. 4 shows a ring or collar 33 made of metal or other suitable material and, Of dimensions to permit the ring 33 to be. slipped over the upstanding collar i5 and at the .sameti'me prevent its slipping off said collar. l5 and over the rim 3| when the unit 30 is screwed in place. The. lower edge of said ring 33 has a flange 34 extending outwardly and horizontally. Two apertures 35 are provided in the flanges 34 for the attachment of a tie device.

* In operation the combined heating unit, closure and suspension device 33 is screwed into place:

If the user does not desire to use the apertures 32; he may accomplish the same results by slipping the ring 32 over the collar l5 and screwing the unit 30 tightly in place and fastenin a tie device in the apertures 35 and around the desired portion of the body. The rim 3| thereafter will prevent the ring 33 from slipping off.

The method of suspension utilizing the ring 33 has the advantage that the collar I5 is not thereby tilted relative to the side lfla of the container l0.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the'form, details, arrangements and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What I claim is: 1. A combined closure and heating unit for a filler opening in thewalls of a comfort bag com.-

prising a hollow member having a bottom of" heat-conducting metal, said hollow member being adapted to seal said filler opening when.

placed in pro-per position therefor and said bottom beingsubstantially flush with the wall of said comfort bag having the filler openin therein when said hollow member is in sealing position, and an electrical heating element disposed within said hollow member and superimposed upon said bottom.

2. A combined closure and heating unit for the position therefor, and an electrical heating element disposed Within said hollow member and superimposed upon said bottom, the bottom of sald plug member being disposed substantially parallel to the wall of the bag in which. said;

filler opening is formed and extending at least in closely spaced relation thereto. v

3. A combined closure, heating unit and sus-' pension unit for a comfort bag with a filler opening, comprising a plug-shaped hollow member so having a bottom of heat conducting metal and a top of heat insulating material, said top having a rim extending outwardly around its periphery and said rim being adapted for the attachment of flexible suspension means for said member,.

and. said member being adapted to seal said filler opening when placed in proper position therefor, and an electrical heating element disposed within said hollow member and superimposed upon said bottom.

tainer of; substantial area relative to the size. of said container, a rigid collar secured in saidfiller opening andv having internal coupling meansv thereon, a. heating unit of dimensions to fit snugly within said collar and to seal said openingwhenplaced in sealing position and having external coupling means thereon for co-operationwith said internal coupling means of said collar and having its bottom surface, when said unit is in sealing position, substantially flush with the inner surface of said wall of said container and an annular member encircling said collar, said member having a means thereon for attaching a flexible suspension device.

5. In a comfort bag, a shallow, flexible container having a filler opening and having end and side edges, a flexible attachment flap of considerable surface area extending from at least one end edge of said container, a tie device secured to said attachment flap, a means for securing said tie device to the other end of said container, a rigid collar secured in said filler opening and having internal coupling means thereon, and a heating unit of dimensions to fit snugly within said collar so as to seal said opening when placed in sealing position and having external coupling means thereon for co-operation with said internal coupling means of said collar and having its bottom surface parallel to the wall in which said collar is secured and at least in closely spaced relation thereto,

BOGOIA STREZOFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,133,346 Webster et a1. Mar. 20, 1915 1,400,646 Webster Dec. 20, 1921 1,406,900 Robinson Feb. 14, 1922 1,975,329 MacSweeney Oct. 2, 1934 2,032,294 McDonald Feb. 25, 1936 2,389,409 Joy et a1. Jan. 18, 1944 2,467,447 Strezofi Apr. 19, 1949 

